Paper towel/toilet paper roll protector

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for protecting an upper exposed edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser. The device may include a substantially circular protector having an outer circumference and an inner orifice concentrically aligned with the outer circumference, the inner orifice being configured to align with a central opening in the roll of paper products. In some embodiments, the device may further include die cut triangles extending into the inner orifice, the die cut triangles configured flex into a position to secure the protector in place.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/990,277 filed on May 8, 2014, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to household accessories, and more particularly, to an accessory for protecting the exposed edge of paper towels on a vertical dispenser.

Typically, vertical paper towel or toilet paper dispensers work by standing a roll of paper towels or toilet paper on one of its circular ends on a base of the vertical dispenser. Sometimes, there is a rod that extends upwards from the base, and the rod is inserted through the center orifice in the roll, helping to secure the paper towels or toilet paper on the vertical dispenser. However, the circular end opposite the one positioned on the base remains exposed. This exposed circular end may collect germs, bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants.

Therefore, what is needed is an accessory configured to protect the exposed circular end of paper towels or toilet paper when a roll is placed on a vertical dispenser.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for protecting an upper exposed edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser. The device may include a substantially circular protector having an outer circumference and an inner orifice concentrically aligned with the outer circumference, the inner orifice being configured to align with a central opening in the roll of paper products. In some embodiments, the device may further include die cut triangles extending into the inner orifice, the die cut triangles configured to flex into a position to secure the protector in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in use.

FIG. 2 is a top profile view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a section detail view of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top profile view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a section view of one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

The device of the present disclosure may be used to protect an exposed substantially circular outer edge of a roll of paper products, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser and may comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device.

1. Protector

The various elements of the protector configured to protect the exposed upper edge of a roll of paper products situated on a vertical dispenser of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.

By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1-10, some embodiments of the device for protecting an exposed edge of a roll of paper products 20, such as paper towels or toilet paper, situated on a vertical dispenser 22 of the present disclosure comprise a protector 10 having an inner orifice 12, the inner orifice 12 being configured to align substantially concentrically with a central opening in a roll of paper products. As shown in the Figures, the protector 10 may be substantially circular, and the inner orifice 12 may be concentrically aligned with an outer circumference of the substantially circular protector 10, resulting in the protector 10 having a disc-shape. The inner orifice 12 may have a diameter sufficient to allow an upward extending central support rod of the dispenser 22 to pass therethrough, such that the protector 10 is held in place about the upward extending central support rod.

In embodiments, an alternate protector 14 may include an inner orifice with at least one die cut triangle 16, such as a pair of die cut triangles 16 separated by triangular cutouts, wherein the die cut triangles 16 comprise scores 18 configured to allow the triangles 16 to flex up or down, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the triangles 16 may be configured to flex downward into the center orifice of the roll of paper products, wherein the triangles 16 engage with or press against the inner tube of the roll to secure the protector 14 in place. Alternatively, the triangles 16 may flex upward, placing an amount of pressure on the upward extending central support rod, which may also aid in keeping the protector 14 in place.

In embodiments, the protector may have a size capable of protecting an entire upper exposed circular edge of a roll of paper products, such as a roll of paper towels or toilet paper, when the roll is situated on a vertical dispenser. For example, the protector may have a diameter of from about 5½ inches to about 6 inches. The inner orifice may have a size suitable for aligning with the central opening in a roll of paper towels and for engaging with a central support rod on a vertical paper towel dispenser. For example, the inner orifice may have a diameter of from about 1½ inches to about 1 6/8 inches. Thus, the distance from an outer circumference of the protector to an outer circumference of the inner orifice may be from about 2 inches to about 2⅛ inches. However, if necessary to protect various sized rolls of paper products and to be compatible with various vertical dispensers, the dimensions of the protector and the inner orifice may be increased or decreased.

The protector may be made of any suitable material and, in embodiments, may be made of a washable material, such as plastic, or a disposable/recyclable material, such as cardboard. The protector may be substantially smooth, such that the surface of the protector placed against the edge of the paper product does not rip, tear, or otherwise destroy the paper product.

To use the protector, a user may place a roll of paper towels or toilet paper onto a vertical dispenser. The user may then place the protector on the exposed upper, substantially circular edge. The paper product and dispenser may then be used as normal, with the protector preventing the upper edge of the paper product from becoming contaminated. When the paper product is completely depleted, the protector may be removed so that the inner cardboard core of the paper product roll may be removed from the vertical dispenser. The protector may then either be placed on a new roll of paper towels, washed by hand or in the dishwasher, or discarded.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for protecting an upper exposed edge of a roll of paper products situated on a vertical dispenser, the device comprising: a substantially circular protector having an outer circumference and an inner orifice concentrically aligned with the outer circumference, the inner orifice being configured to align with a central opening in the roll of paper products.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one die cut triangle extending from the protector into the inner orifice, the die cut triangle configured to flex downward into a position to secure the protector in place.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one die cut triangle comprises at least one score configured to help the triangle flex without tearing.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the protector has a size suitable for covering an entire exposed upper edge of the roll of paper products.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein: the protector has a diameter of from about 5½ inches to about 6 inches; and the inner orifice has a diameter of from about 1½ inches to about 1 6/8 inches.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein a surface of the protector being positioned against the roll of paper products is substantially smooth to avoid damaging the paper product.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a reusable, washable material.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a disposable material.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the paper product is selected from the group consisting of a paper towel roll and a roll of toilet paper. 